by Ian Perks I’ve been asked to write my recollections of theatre life at Saddleworth Players as I am one of vanishingly few members who played at the Mechanics Institute which is now the car park. In 1970 I had been kicking around the local amateur theatre scene for 12 years (I started young). Mostly I played in small societies who staged their productions in church halls. The plays on offer were Lancashire comedies, thrillers […]
Your wish is our command – announcing 2022’s spellbinding Aladdin cast! 🧞Sarah Louise-Young as Genie of the Lamp and PC World. 🧞 Will Cousins as Wishee Washee. . 🧞 Tessa Vale as Empress and Sergeant Pepper. 🧞 Dominic McChesney as Widow Twankey. 🧞Sarah Louise-Young as Genie of the Lamp and PC World. Sarah can be seen in her superb one-woman shows ‘Julie Madly Deeply’ and ‘An Evening Without Kate Bush’. She’s been a huge hit […]
An Actor’s Tale: 5 Decades of Saddleworth Players at the Millgate Part 2 : 1980s in a series of memories from John Tanner In the 80s I was involved in 15 plays (a record for me as I usually only do one play a season). If Poppy is reading this she will probably realise this may have coincided with Jennie being born in 1977 and David in 1980! Well it is a self indulgent hobby! […]
A review from the first night audience member: Wow – what an EPIC piece of theatre!!! Just 4 (tremendous) actors, multi-roling, gave a fabulous, enthralling & strory-telling performance. I can only imagine the hard work that went into this from the actors, director & crew…!! Your use of a simple, but effective multi-use set, really helped with the audiences understanding of the ‘scene setting’, from the dark dungeons to the dusty desert, we were treated […]
Many congratulations to all involved in a superb team effort at Saddleworth Players at Millgate Arts Centre for their production of ‘Ben Hur.’ Four excellent performances from Mark Rosenthal, Andy Hoyle, Kate Davies and Jon Comyn-Platt: epic, hectic, chaotic, at times neurotic, consistently eccentric! It wasn’t so much directed, more choreographed by Verity Mann and the entire tech team was a tour de force. And thank you for allowing me the opportunity for audience participation […]
full of humour and energy John Rigby On hearing of the Saddleworth Players’ plan to put on Ben Hur at the Millgate, I must admit that my first reaction was one of bewilderment, especially as it was going to be played as a comedy. What on earth would it be like? Carry On Crashing, perhaps, or a cross between Hollywood epic and Last of the Summer Wine, with chariots lurching out of control down Stoneswood […]
reproduced from News@Ken By Ken Bennett By day, Liz Travis is the popular headteacher in a 200-pupil village school… But from now until October 1, every night except Monday, she playing a starring role in Saddleworth Players production of “Scary Bikers” at Millgate Arts centre, Delph. And Liz, 49, who has lead Holy Trinity Dobcross School for 15 years, says candidly: “The most common question I am asked when I appear on publicity for the […]
A review of opening night by Martin Roche The great thing about a piece of theatre is when the subject matter brings an idea, a concept, a story to the stage which feels original and just works. I think we’re on safe ground in the originality stakes with a two-hander play encompassing foreign cycling trips, bereavement, Brexit, the Miner’s Strike and a burgeoning friendship! I guess it is the latter which is the glue which […]
So, you want to act?’ This was how I was welcomed as a new member of Saddleworth Players in 1972. Having finished University in 1972 I knew I would be living and working in Saddleworth and, having given up on the idea of possibly trying to go to Drama College, a relative told me about Saddleworth Players moving across to the Millgate. I was met by Joan Nuttal and Millicent Mallalieu (both legendary figures ) […]
By Carol Davies On Saturday, the 4th of June 2022 the play ‘Singers not Sinners’ premiered at Millgate Arts Centre, Delph and ran for a week. On the 30th August last it was reprised with the same cast at Oldham Parish Church, now Saint Mary’s with Saint Peter, on the site of the 1701 church. It was an extraordinary experience and a major place on the Journey. Because from Page to Stage IS a journey.. […]